FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 11, 2022
Contact: Juan Ramiro Sarmiento
(785) 760-6567 | JuanRamiro.Sarmiento@younginvincibles.org

Colorado Senate Passes ‘Removing Barriers to Educator Preparation’ Legislation

The New Law Opens Door to Educators for Career Advancement and Training, Removes Financial Barriers

(Denver, CO) – Last night, the Colorado State Senate approved bill HB22-1220, the ‘Removing Barriers to Educator Preparation’ act, designed to remove financial barriers for educators wishing to bolster qualifications and further advance their careers.

The bill creates the Student Educator Stipend program. The purpose of the student educator stipend program is to award stipend money to an eligible student to reduce the financial barriers to participating in required clinical practice as a student educator. An eligible student placed as a ‘student educator’ in a 16-week academic residency may receive a stipend of $11,000, and an eligible student placed as a student educator in a 32-week academic residency may receive a stipend of $22,000.

In response, Kyra deGruy Kennedy, Rocky Mountain Regional Director for Young Invincibles issued the following statement.

“Colorado is in the midst of an educator shortage, and the pathways to becoming a teacher can be expensive and out of reach for many young adults. Providing stipends, loan forgiveness, and educator examination assistance helps to diversify the teacher workforce and make the profession more attainable for many young Coloradans.

We commend the efforts of Representatives Kipp and McLachlan and Senators Zenzinger and Coram to address a major workforce problem while expanding opportunities, and support for Coloradans who wish to enter the teaching profession.”

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